Winter track work on the Llangollen Railway has begun strongly, with the replacement of track through Berwyn tunnel currently in progress.

The tight single-bore 689-yard tunnel, completed in 1865, presents a challenge for the Permeant Way team as they replace the track through the tunnel, with the added difficulty that the tunnel is also on a curve.

Since the start of the year, an engineering possession has put in place west of Berwyn station. This enabled the old track through the tunnel to be lifted and removed in sections using specialist equipment before the sleepers were also removed.

The foundations to the track are also being renewed before new concrete sleepers and flat bottom rails will be laid by mechanical plant.

The work is an important part of the Llangollen railway. Without a suitable track, no trains can run. Though with help from volunteers, paid staff and contractors who are working on this project, the line is ensuring its long-term future, running trains between Llangollen and Corwen.

“This has been an excellent first week and a real credit to everyone involved. Replacing track in a tunnel like Berwyn is complex work, but it is absolutely critical to the safe operation of the railway. The team is following the plan carefully and delivering exactly what was needed.”

Dave Shaw, Permanent Way Supervisor and Person in Charge of the Works at the Railway

“I’m extremely proud of the way the team has approached this project. It’s demanding work in a challenging environment, and the professionalism, teamwork and attention to safety we’ve seen so far has been outstanding. We’d like to thank all the volunteers who have helped so far including our Civil’s Team, whose help has been invaluable.”

Llangollen Railway Trust’s Engineering Manager Tim Pulford

Work through the tunnel is still ongoing at the time of writing. The team have made a good start and is on course to meet the planned targets, before a final inspection to allow trains to run through the tunnel once more.

While the line beyond Berywn is closed for engineering works, the Llangollen Railway will be running its Berwyn shuttle service on selected days over the winter half-term holiday, February 14th, 15th, 18th & 21st. The line will fully reopen to kick off the 2026 season on the last day of February, Saturday 28th, with the line’s first big event of the year taking place on the 10th – 12th April.